TeamCity vs fastlane: What are the differences?

Key differences between TeamCity and fastlane

1. Continuous Integration vs. Full Mobile DevOps:
TeamCity is primarily a continuous integration server, providing build and test automation for various software projects. In contrast, fastlane is a full mobile development automation platform designed specifically for mobile app development, including tasks like building, testing, and deploying iOS and Android apps.

2. Platform Compatibility:
TeamCity is a cross-platform continuous integration server that supports a wide range of programming languages and development environments. It can work with projects built using Java, .NET, Ruby, Python, and many other languages. On the other hand, fastlane is specifically focused on mobile app development and is primarily used for building iOS and Android apps.

3. Configuration and Setup:
Setting up TeamCity involves configuring build steps, version control repositories, and build agents, which can be done through a web-based interface. Fastlane, on the other hand, relies on a command-line interface that requires developers to write and maintain configuration files in their projects. Fastlane also offers a set of pre-defined lanes that can be customized as needed.

4. Community and Ecosystem:
TeamCity is a product developed and maintained by JetBrains, a widely known and respected software development company. It has a large and active community of users, with extensive documentation and support available. Fastlane, on the other hand, is an open-source project with a growing community of contributors. It is backed by a number of mobile development companies and has a vibrant ecosystem of plugins and integrations.

5. Test Automation and Distribution:
TeamCity provides built-in support for running tests as part of the build process and generating reports. However, it does not offer specific features for mobile app testing or distribution. Fastlane, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive set of tools for automating mobile app testing, including running unit tests, UI tests, and integration tests on real devices or simulators. It also offers features for distributing beta versions and managing app metadata.

6. Build and Deployment Tools:
TeamCity offers a variety of build tools and integrations with popular build systems and version control systems. It supports tools like Maven, Gradle, MSBuild, and Git, among others. In contrast, fastlane provides a set of tools specifically tailored for mobile app development, including tasks for code signing, managing provisioning profiles, and deploying apps to app stores. It also integrates with popular build systems like Xcode and Gradle.

In Summary, TeamCity is a continuous integration server focused on general software projects, while fastlane is a mobile development automation platform specifically designed for building, testing, and deploying iOS and Android apps.